Update in case against Kira and Igor Korolev, who allegedly gave ADF intelligence to Russian counterparts

A husband and wife accused of spying on Australia for Russia have had multiple devices seized from their Brisbane apartment, a court has been told. Alleged Russian spies Igor and Kira Korolev were charged in July this year over allegations they were sending state secrets to Russia while Ms Korolev was working for the Australian Army. Ms Korolev, who was employed with the ADF as an information systems technician for “several years”, had allegedly undertaken non-declared travel to Russia while on leave from the ADF. During her trip, she was allegedly instructed her husband – who remained in Australia – to log into her work account from their Brisbane home. It will be alleged in court the couple worked together to access ADF material related to Australia’s national security interests. Their matters were briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court – where they face one count each of preparing for an espionage offence – on Friday. Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutor Ellie McDonald told the court a “significant volume” of evidence had been collected and more time was required to analyse it. Ms McDonald said 12 devices owned by the Korolevs had been seized by police as part of the investigation. Magistrate Peter Saggers adjourned the matter to December 20 for further mention. The Russian-born co-accused remain in custody on remand and have not applied for bail. Court documents seen by NewsWire allege Ms Korolev had “intentionally engaged in conduct” in Brisbane and the Russian Federation. She had allegedly unlawfully provided access to defence computer systems to her husband, who had no lawful basis to access those systems, between December 6, 2022 and July 11, 2024. Ms Korolev and Mr Korolev both allegedly unlawfully accessed, copied and disseminated information from those secure computer systems that concerned the national security of Australia, according to court documents. It will be further alleged in court the couple maintained a relationship with members of affiliates of the Russian Federation Intelligence Services for purposes of providing the information Ms Korolev had illegally obtained from the Department of Defence. The Commonwealth will allege Ms Korolev and Mr Korolev carried out these acts with the intention of preparing for or planning an offence providing the obtained national security information to the intelligence services of government of the Russian Federation.